Well-curb.



No. 880,597. .PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908. J. F. SYZE.

WELL CURB. APPLICATION FILEDv AUG. 30. 1907.

JAMES F. SYZE, OF YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK.

WELL-CURB Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 3, 1908.

Application filed August 30. 1907. Serial No. 390.843

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. SYZE, citizen of the United States,residing at Yorktown Heights, in the county of WVestchester and State ofNew York, have invented certain -new and useful Improvements in Well-Curbs, of which the following is a specification. a

1 The present invention appertains to the sinking of wells, beingdesigned most especially to minimize the danger from caving in, and alsoto facilitate the work when sinking a well in soft, sandy, or loamyearth and when constructing cess-pools or like underground workrequiring a wall or lining.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means foreffecting the result, reference is to be had to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, in. which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a well embodying the invention. Fig.2is a vertical central sectional view of a well embodying the invention.Fig. 3 is a detailed per spective view of the base. Fig. 4 is a detailedperspective view of a curb section.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The invention consists of a sectional curb and a sectional base thelatter being preferably constructed of metal whereas the curb sectionsare preferably formed of cement or like material usually employed in theformation of artificial building blocks. The curb is preferably round inhorizontal section and comprises a series of courses, each course beingcomposed of secti0ns,'and having an interlocking tongue and groove jointto prevent displacement of the courses and the sections of one" coursebeing arranged to break joint with the sections of the adjacent courseso as toform a substantial structure in which each of the sections orelements are bonded or tied.

The base is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the curb soas to prevent binding of the curb and admit of the same settling as thewell is deepened in the sinking thereof. A rim 1. projects upward fromthe outer edge of the base and receives the lowermost section of thecurb so as to prevent lateral displacement thereof. A rim 2 isconstitutes a shoe. The outer edge of the base flares from top to bottomand forms an edge 3 which acts as a cutter to remove projecting portionsafter the base has been undermined sufficiently to cause the combinedweight of the base and the curb resting thereon to descend. The base mayconsist of any number of sections 4 and the end portions of the sectionsare widened as indicated at 5, and apertured as at 6, to receive .boltsor like fastenings 7 for securing the sections when assembled. Clips 8overlap the joints formed between the sections 4 and have openings intheir end portions to register with the openings 6 so as to receive thebolt or fastening 7. The space between the outer edges of the clips 8and the inner edge-of the rim 1 corresponds approximately to thethickness of the curb sections to admit of the same resting squarelyupon the base. In arranging the sections the elements of the base andcurb are disposed so as to break joint thereby equalizing anddistributing the load and strain upon all parts.

The curb sections 9 are of like formation and are interchangeable so asto be employed in any course, the sections of a course unitedly forminga circle. A tongue 10 is provided at one edge of each section 9 and agroove 11 is formed at the opposite edge so that when the courses areformed the tongue and groove match and form an interlocking joint toretain the courses and the sections in proper position. The sections 9may be formed of cement or other material generally employed in themanufacture of artificial building blocks, and are molded or pressedinto the'required shape and when set or'thoroughly hardened are used inthe manner well understood in the formation of underground structures,such as the sinking of shafts, wells, or the like. A recess 12 is formedin the inner side or wall of each sec tion and constitutes a foot restwhich facilitates ingress and egress from the well or shaft.

The invention is particularly advantageous in the sinking of wells,shafts, or the like in the ground which is, soft or composed of strataof sand, gravel, loam or the like which naturally tends to cave inunless supported when excavating therein. In accordance with thisinvention the base is placed in position and theseveral sectionsconnected so as to form in effect a substantial structure pendent fromthe outer edge of the base and 1 after which a number of sections ofcurb are course, and after the same has been sufficientlyundermined itwill descend by its own welght and the superimposed weight of the firstcourse. The second course is now placed upon the first course and theexcavation continued until the base again descends with the two coursesresting thereon. Successive courses are placed in position andsuccessive excavations made, the base and portion of curb restingthereon lowering at each operation. After the well or shaft has beensunk to the desired depth the bolts or fastenings 7 are removed and theclips 8 and sections 4 of the base removed to be again employed in otherwork.

The curb may be of any diameter or outline in horizontal section and islowered at intervals by excavating theearth beneath the base to a depthcorresponding approximately to the height of a course of the curbsection. The curb protects the workman from danger and supports looseearth caving in as the well or shaft deepens. The curb besidesprotecting the workmen forms a lining.

' for the lodgment of reptiles or other foreign matter which tend tofoul water used for domestic purposes. The recesses 12 present footholds which-enable a person to climb into or out of the well or shaftand avoid the necessity for the use of a ladder or projecting partswhich would tend to catch foreign objects or form ledges for growths.The earth removed from beneath the base in the sinking of the well isadapted to be discharged through the base and curb by means of a bucketor pail as will be readily understood.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. The means for use in connection with the sinking of the well, shaftor the like comprising the combination of the curb and the supportingbase therefor, said base being of sectional formation and having upperand lower rims at its outer edge, the end portions of the sections beingwidened and apertured, and clips overlapping the joints from between thesections and. fastenings comiecting the clips to the sections. 7

2. The means for use in connection with the sinking of a well shaft orthe like, comprising the combination of a curb and a supporting basetherefor, the latter having its outer edge downwardly flared andterminals ing in a cutting edge and having a vertical rim embracing thelower end of the curb said base being formed of sections whose endportions are widened and vertically aperturwl clips overlapping thejoints between sections and having their outer edges adapted to touchthe inner side of the lower end of the curb and. fastenings connectingsaid clips to the sections. 7

3. The herein described means for use in connection with the sinking ofa well, shaft, or the-like thesame consisting of a curb eon1- prisingcourses each. course consisting of sections, the sections of one coursearranged to break joint with the sections of the adj aeenl portions, theseveral curb sections being of like formation and having a tongue at oneedge and a matching groove at the opposite edge and a base, the latterhaving a vertical rim to embrace the lower end of the curb and composedof like sections whose end. portions are widened and apertured, theouter edge portion of the base being downwardly flared and terminatingin a cutting edge, clips overlapping the joints from between thesections of the base and having the space between. their outer edges andthe inner edge of the vertical rim of a size to receive the lower edgeof the curb, and fastenings connecting the clips with the sections ofthe base.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES F. SYZE. Vitnesses:

V. B. I-IILLYARD, W. N. Woonson.

(ill

